Electrical method of and apparatus for the analysis or identification of gases, vapors, and the like



23, 1945- L. T. WINKLER 2,387,550

ELECTRICAL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR THE ANALYSIS OR IDENTIFICATION OF GASES, VAPOR-S AND THE LIKE Filed NOV. 23, 1942 Y J 7221672237 zozczls Z mnkr 4? Wm Q MMZM, 15 337 22635 Patented Oct. 23, 1945 UNITED STATES ELECTRICAL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR THE ANALYSIS OR IDENTIFICATION OF GASES, VAPOBS, AND THE LIKE Louis Theodore Wlnkler, London, England Application November 23, 1942, Serial No. 466,699 In Great Britain October 16, 1941 11 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for the analysis or identification of gases, vapors and the like, and has for its principal object to enable rapid and accurate investigations to be made, particularly in the case where any particular gas or gases or vapors are present in extremely small quantities mixed with other gases or vapors. In such cases a chemical analysis, even if possible, is slow and tedious and requires large quantities of the mixture to be available, and the present invention avoids these objections since the method is a highly sensitive one.

This invention accordingly comprises a method. for the qualitative or quantitative analysis or identification of mixed gases or vapors, which consists in producing ions in the mixture, grouping the ions of the diflerent constituent gases by virtue of their different ion-mobilities, selectively collecting a group or groups of the ions on different electrodes, and measuring the charge imparted to one or more of these electrodes, said charge being a measure of the quantity of gas present having that particular ion-mobility.

According to another feature of this invention, a method as aforesaid comprises the steps of (a) producing an electric field between electrodes exposed to the mixture of gases to be identified to remove fortuitous ions from the gas,(b) ionizing a gas near one electrode of said field, (c) reversing the direction of the field for a period of time to cause the ions to travel from said electrode through different distances according to their respective ion-mobilities, (d) producing an electric field transverse to the said travel of the ions, (e) collecting the ions from a group or groups on an electrode, and (f) measuring the charge imparted to said electrode.

According to a,further feature of this invention, a method as aforesaid comprises the steps of (a) confining the gas to be analyzed in a closed chamber, (b) producing an electric field between electrodes at opposite sides of the chamher to remove fortuitous ions from the gas, ionizing the gas near one electrode of said field, (d) maintaining the field to produce a layer of ions, preferably thin, near said electrode. (e) changing the direction of thefield for a period of time to cause the ions to travel from said electrode through different distances according to their respective ion-mobilities, (I) again changing the direction of the field to cause the separated groups or layers of ions to travel to separate electrodes, whereby one group may. be received on one electrode, and (g) measuring the measurements of the charge on one or more electrodes can be made.

This invention also includes apparatus for carrying out the above-described method, comprising a. chamber having means to introduce into.

1 it the gaseous mixture to be analyzed, a pair of.

electrodes spaced apart, for example at opposite sides of the chamber, for producing an electric field therein, means for ionizing the gas, preferably near one of said electrodes, means for producing an electric field transverse and preferably at right-angles to the direction of the first said field, one of the electrodes in said second field comprising sections insulated from one another, and means for measuring the charge imparted to go one or more of said sections.

According to yet another feature of this invention, the apparatus may comprise switchgear operated in any convenient manner automatically to eflect the cycle of operations hereinbeiore described.

In the accompanying drawing, which is purely diagrammatic,

Figure 1 represents one construction of apparatus for carrying out the method above described,

and

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate modified constructions of the apparatus.

Referring first to the construction illustrated in Figure 1, there is provided a chamber In 3 which is preferably rectangular and is of any convenient size; it is provided with a pipeconnection II and valve l2 or-other convenientmeans for introducing into it a quantity of the gas to be analyzed or whereof a constitu- 40 ent or constituents are to be identified The mtroduction of a gas may be effected by causing a flow through the chamber, in by the pipe II and out by the pipe l3.

This chamber is provided on two of its opposite walls with electrodes I4, l5 for producing an electric field across the chamberand means are provided adjacent the electrode ii for ionizing a small volume of the gas in the neighbourhood thereof. This ionization may be effected by an or by radio-active material, or it may be efiected internally in the chamber by heat or by photoelectric action.

The chamber is also provided on twoother walls with electrodes for producing an electric field transverse to the field produced by the electrodes l4, l5, and one of these electrodes It may take the form of a plate, but the other is constituted by separate plates, 20, 2|. Theseplates ll, 20, 2| are insulated from one another and spaced apart in the direction II, It, and the number, dimensions and arrangement or these plates i selected according to the analysis which it is desired to eifect. When identifying one particular constituent, the electrode is is preferably narrow compared with the electrodes 20, 2|, and the two latter may be connected together to constituteasingleelectrode. i i

A suitable switch mechanism 22and source of potential 23 are provided for producing the electric fields successively in the manner above described, and it is convenient that. the switch mechanism 22 should be arranged for automatic operation, being for example a drum type or commutator type, switch which, by its continuous rotation, establishes the necessary circuitsin succession. It may be provided with a worm-wheel 2| to be driven by a small electric motor.

asezsso measurable charge is obtained.

It will be appreciated that in the operation of this apparatus both the fleld strengths and the time during whichthey are maintained are readily controllable and may be adjusted by preliminary calculation when it is desired to identify A suitable instrument, such as a quadrant electrometer 25 is provided for measuring a charge imparted to the electrode It by ions collected on it. v l i In the operation of this device a sample of the gases or vapors to be analyzed is introduced into the chamber l0, either by a preliminary evacuation of the chamber or, if there is a sufflcient quantity of the gas available, by causing a flow through the chamber until it contains the requisite quantity of the gas. In geophysical investigations, the gases can be extracted from the soil from any selected depth in the usual manner and subjected to the analysis. Since the method is an exceedingly sensitive one, it will identify very small traces of particular gases, and. for example, the presence of petroleum underground can be detected by analysis of the subsoil gases even at a is considerable distance from the deposit itself.

Whenthechamberhasbeenfllledwiththegaa,

an electric field is established between the electrodes II, II and maintained, for a sufficient length of time completely to de-io'nize the gas by collecting any fortuitously presentdcns on one of the electrodes, preferably the electrode Ii. A

small quantity, of the gas near this electrode is then ionized by the means provided for this purp0se,and during this ionization-period the field ll, 15 may be cut 011, but preferably it is maintained, possibly at a somewhat. lower value, in

order to prevent the ions travelling away from the electrode l5 until a thin layer has been produced in the neighbourhood of that electrode.

. The .field between the electrodes ll, II is then reversed to came the ions to travel towards the plate or electrode II, and owing to the diiference in their ion-mobilities or mass to-chargeratios, they group themselves after a suitable time interval insubstantially parallel layers spaced across the chamber from the electrode II to .the electrode I. At an appropriate time this electric field is then cut oil, and a field is a plied between theelectrode II and the electrodes is, 20, 2| to cause the ions to travel towards thelatthepresence of any one Mlcular constituent in the mixture; it may be desirable to verify such calculations by preliminary experiment with known proportion of gaseous mixtures. o

A screen may be provided in the usual manner near the electrode II in order to diminish or eliminate inductive eflects between it and the adJacent electrodes. It may also be convenient in some instances to identify two ormore constitu ents simultaneously by collecting their ions on separate electrodes. and produced by them.

In the modified construction ofapparatus iii lustrated in Figure 2, the chamber l0 and the electrodes ll, It are. similar to those described with reference to Figure 1, but instead of applying a transverse field to collect the ions from a layer on the electrode 28, this electrode may be traversed across the chamber tothe position 21. If the cycle is to be repeated, this electrode is withdrawn toits original position and the de-ionlzation and re-ionizationand separation are effected measuring the charges as before, and a further charge collected on the electrode 26 as often as may be desired.

. The method above described can also be used for anydesiredsas analysis including-forearample, the examination of the atmosphere for the presence of poison gase orll any otherpossible constituent. In the apparatus as shown 3 in Figure 3 may be used comprising apairof electrodes 29," Ill corresponding to the electrodes ll, ll, and electrodes ii, 22, 33, 34 correspond to the electrodes 18,12, 2l,.2l.. may be freely exposed in the atmosphere which isto be tested, or may be enclosedin on: open-ended chamber 3! "through which a gentlecurrent of the gas is passed. The cycle of operations and measurements are eilected in the manner described with reference to Figure 1. p when examining the gen eral atmosphere, means may be provided foremplifying the measurement which is made sothat remote-reading indicators can be used in conjunction with a suitablewgdisposition of sets of automatically-operated.=,apparatus,w.sothat the distribution of poisongasover ancarea can be readilymapped out.

This invention isalso useful means, and is not limited to gases and vapors,

ter. The ions of the layer opposite the electrode iii are collected on it and a charge thereby imparted to it, and a measurement of this charge on.

since solids and liquids may;also be treated by transforming them into gases or vapors and treatthe instrument 2| gives an accurate indication oi groups of ions when separated should be caused in connection with the investigation of material which are not w easily, separated byother, chemical or physical to travel in parallel paths, since by a suitable disposition of control electrodes they may be caused to have divergent paths. Also, in some cases it may not be necessary entirely to separate out constituents, but to collect two or more groups of ions on one measuring electrode, when circumstances permit and this gives adequate information.

A typical operation of the present invention for the detection-of positively charged ions such as those derived from a hydrocarbon by electric bombardment, is first to make the electrodes l4 and I5 positiv and negative respectively. The positively charged ions are thereby collected near the electrode IS; the polarity of these electrodes is then reversed so that the ions travel towards the electrode M. The pusher electrode I8 is then given a positive potential and the collecting electrodes i9, 20 and 2| are given different negative potentials less than the breakdown potential but high enough to reduce the time of operation. The ions are then collected on the electrodes I9, 20, 2| according totheir respective mobilities. The cycle of operations is completed in, say to of a second.

The potential imparted to the electrode i9 is measured by an electrostatic volt meter or by an ammeter measuring the average discharge current of the condenser I 8 and I9. During this part of the operation the potential applied to the electrodes l4 and I5 is switched off.

The voltages used depend on the spacing of the electrodes, being say 200 volts between the electrodes l4, l5 when they are separated by a distance of 5 centimeters.

I claim:

1. A method of analyzing mixed gases or vapors, which comprises the steps of (a) producing an electric field between electrodes exposed to the mixture of gases to be identified to remove fortuitous ions from the gas, (b) ionizing a gas near one electrode of said field, (c) reversing the direction of the field for a period of time to cause the ions to travel from said electrode through different distances according to their respective ionmobilities, (d) producing an electric field transverse to the said travel of the ions, (e) collecting the ions from a group or groups on an electrode, and (f) measuring the charge imparted to said electrode.

2. A method of analyzing mixed gases or vapors which comprises the steps of (a) confining the gas to be analyzed in a closed chamber, (22) producing an electric field between electrodes at opposite sides of the chamber to remove fortuitous ions from the gas, (0) ionizing the gas near one tion of the field for a period or time to cause the ions to travel from said electrode through differ- 'ent distances according to their respective ionmobilities, (d) producing an electric field transverse to the said travel of the ions, (e) collecting the ions from a group or groups on an electrode, and (f) repeating the steps (a) to (e) any desired number of times to increase the charge imparted to said electrode, and (a) measuring the charge imparted to said electrode.

4. Apparatus for analyzing gases or vapors comprising a pair of electrodes spaced apart, means for producing an electric field between them, means for ionizing the gas adjacent one of said electrodes, means for causing the ions to travel towards the other of said electrodes whereby they become grouped into layers according to their respective ion-mobilities, a second pair of electrodes spaced transversely with respect to the first pair of electrodes, means for producing an electric field between said second pair of electrodes, to cause some of the ions to be collected on one of them, and means for measuring the charge imparted to the electrode by the ions collected on it.

5. Apparatus for analyzing gases or vapors, comprising a pair of electrodes, means for producing an electric field between them, a gas between said electrodes, means for ionizing the gas near one of said'electrodes, a pair of electrodes spaced transversely with respect to the spacing of the first pair of electrodes, on of said second pair of electrodes being of small dimensions in the direction of the spacing of the first pair of electrodes, means for producing a field between 'said second pair of electrodes to cause a layer of ions to travel to the said small electrode to impart a charge thereto, and means for measuring said charge.

6. Apparatus for analyzing gases or' vapors,. comprising a pair of electrodes spaced apart, a gas to be analyzed disposed between said electrodes, means for ionizing said gas in the neighbourhood of one of said electrodes, means for producing an electric field between said electrodes to cause the ions to travel towards the other of said electrodes, an electrode spaced latelectrode of said field, (d) maintaining the field to produce a layer of ions, preferably thin, near said electrode, (e) changing the direction of thefield for a period of time to cause the ions to travel from said electrode through different distances according to their respective ion-mobilities, (1) again changing the direction of the field to cause the separated groups or layers of ions to travel to separate electrodes, whereby on group may be received on one electrode, and (a) measuring the charge imparted to said electrode, or electrodes.

3. A method of analyzing mixed gases or vapors which comprises the steps of (at) producing an electric field between electrodes exposed to the mixture of gases to be identified to remove fortuitous ions from the gas, (12) ionizing the gas near erally from said first pair of electrodes and of small dimensions in thedirection of their spacing, means for traversing said electrode through the space between said first pair of electrodes to collect a layer of ions on it, and means for measuring the charge imparted to said electrode by the ions collected on it.

7. Apparatus for analyzing gases or vapors, comprising a'closed chamber, means for introducing into said chamber a quantity of gas to be analyzed, a pair of electrodes spaced apart at opposite sides of said chamber, means for ionizing said gas in said chamber, means for producing an electric field between said electrodes to cause the ions to be collected in a thin layer adjacent to one of them, means for reversing said electric field to cause the ions to travel towards the other electrode at rates determined by their respective ion-mobilities whereby they are separated into layers, an electrode for selectively collecting a layerof said ions, and means for measuring the charge imparted to said electrode by the ions collected on it.

-8. Apparatus for analyzing gases or vapors,

comprising a closed chamber, means for introducing into said chamber a sample of the gas to be analyzed, a pair of electrodes spaced on opone electrode of said field, (c) reversing the direc- 7 posite sides of d m b means for producing an. electric field between said electrodes, means for reversing said electric field, means tor ionizing the gas between said electrodes, an electrode disposed laterally oi the spacing of said first-mentioned pair of electrodes, a plurality oi electrodes spaced laterally opposite said lastmentioned electrode, one of said plurality of electrodes being oi small'dimensions in the direction of the spacing of the first-mentioned pair of electrodes, means for producing an electric field between said lateral electrodes, and means for measuring the charge imparted to said small electrode.

9. Apparatus for analyzing gases or vapors. comprising a pair of electrodes spaced apart, means for producing a gentle fiow of gas between said electrodes, means for producing an electric field between said electrodes, means for ionizing the gas near one of said electrodes, a laterally disposed electrode, means for reversin the field for a period oi time in cause the ions to travel from said electrode through different distances according to -their ion-mobilities,

means for impressing on said lateral electrode a potential for collecting on it a layer 01' said ions, and means for measuring the charge imparted to it by the ions collected on it. a

10. Apparatus for analyzing gases or vapors, comprising a pair of electrodes spaced apart, means for introducing to the space between them the combination of a pair of electrodes spaced apart, means'ior producing an electrical fleld between saidelectrodes, means for ionising the gas between said electrodes, means for collecting said ions adiacent one elmid electrodes, a second pai of spscedapart electrodes, means for causing theions to traveltowards the other of said electrodes, said second pair oi spaced electrodes arrangedtransversely to thefirst mentioned pair of electrodes, means for producing an electric field between the second pair oi electrodes, and means for collecting a layer of the ions by the second pair of electrodes after they have been separated in accordance with their respective ion mobilities by the first pair oi electrodas- 1 a ours mononn 

